CHAPTER 28
Frankie
I pace the room, looking for something I can use as a weapon. The wall sconces look heavy duty. Maybe I can knock Robert on the head with one when he brings my next meal.
Removing the candle from one of the sconces, I scream when the jaw flaps open. The skull I thought was fake is actually made of bone.
Jerking my hands back in disgust, I flap my arms. “Ew, ew, ew, what the hell? Why can’t I get the room with the dainty teacups instead of human skulls?”
Think, Frankie. This is not the time to panic . Finding my resolve, I reach for the skull again, removing it from the wall. Shit! It’s lighter than I expected; too light to do any damage.
Maybe I can carve it into a knife of some sort. I smash the skull on the ground over and over until a chunk breaks free. Grabbing the hook that was used to hang the skull, I use it to whittle away at the bone.
My door opens around dinnertime, and Robert enters carrying the usual tray of food. The only thing I can’t complain about is being fed. Dante wants to make sure I have enough energy to use my magic, so I haven’t gone hungry yet. Silver linings, I guess.
I’m sitting on the bed with the make-shift knife tucked under my leg, waiting for Robert to come closer.
He sets the tray on the side table and removes the lid, revealing some sort of meatloaf and potatoes. “I can eat the bread for you if you want,” he says.
Robert has come to trust me over the past few days, which makes this a lot harder. I pretend I don’t like bread so he’ll eat it for me. I know he doesn’t get enough food, so I’m more than happy to share.
As he reaches for the slice of bread, I quickly hop up, grabbing his arm.
“F-F-Frankie?!” he exclaims, eyes wide with confusion.
I spin him around, so his back is against me and hold the sharp pointy bone to his throat. “I’m so sorry, Robert. I don’t want to hurt you.”
He grunts, trying to fight me off, but he’s too weak. “I need to get out of here. Show me where to go.”
“M-M-Master will kill me,” he pleads.
I press the knife deeper into his neck. “ I will kill you if you don’t help me. Please, Robert. You can come with me. You don’t have to live this way.” He could stay with me, start over and have a fulfilling life.
“Master will kill you too. We can’t leave.”
We’d both be better off dead. I can’t live this way. “I don’t want to hurt you, Robert, but I will. Show me the way out, or I’ll kill you now, ending your misery.”
I watch him debating, wondering if he should take the easy way out and end his life. I wouldn’t blame him if he did.
“This way,” he finally says as we exit the room. I breathe a sigh of relief when he decides to help me.
I keep him at knifepoint. If we get caught, I don’t want him to be punished for helping me.
He leads us through dark, empty halls into the library. I release him as the door closes. Shelves full of books line the walls from floor to ceiling. In another lifetime, this would’ve been a dream instead of a nightmare.
Robert feels around until he finds a hidden lever disguised as a book. I hear a loud click as the bookshelf opens, revealing a hidden hallway.
Sweat begins forming around my hair line and a chill runs down my spine the moment I step inside. My hands tremble as the tightness in my chest makes it impossible to breathe. The door closes behind me, leaving us in a narrow, dark space.
Panic takes over and instead of following Robert, I turn back to the hidden door, pushing it open. Stupid claustrophobia.
“It’s okay, Frankie,” I say to myself, resting my hands on my knees to catch my breath. “You’re not in the pantry, you’re safe.”
“Why aren’t you in your room?” A deep voice makes me jump. I look up to find Cronus, his eyes narrowed on me. He reaches out to grab my arm, but I pull it away, running toward the library exit.
I’m only inches from the doorknob when a strong arm wraps around my waist, pulling me away.
Warm breath tickles my ear as the voice whispers, “Dante doesn’t like to share, but I figured as his second in command, I earned a little piece.”
I cringe in disgust, surprising us both when I swing my elbow, hearing a crunch as it connects with Cronus’ nose. He loosens his grip, and I manage to pull away.
Dashing for the door once more, he tackles me to the ground, sending the knife flying from my hand.
“This is going to be fun,” he says before flipping me over to face him. A disgusting smile spreads across his face.
“L-l–let her go,” Robert cries.
Cronus ignores Robert as he unbuckles his belt, opening the front of his pants.
No! I push at his chest, but he doesn’t budge. He holds me to the ground. I kick and punch with as much strength as I can muster, but I can’t stop him from ripping down my pants.
Cronus pins my legs down with his own while holding my wrists with one of his hands. I scream relentlessly. Please, God, don’t let this happen to me.
He’s too massive. No matter how hard I struggle, I can’t get free.
Cronus sneers as he pulls himself out of his pants. “I’m going to fuck you real hard! You’ll forget all about that mate of yours.”
“No!!” I thrash violently. It takes me a moment to realize he repositioned me. My legs are now splayed on top of his.
Think, Frankie. You’re not weak. What was that move Zarreth made me learn? Triangle choke! Dammit, I wish I would’ve paid more attention.
He reaches down positioning himself at my entrance. “I’m gonna get nice and deep.” No, no, no.
This is my only chance. I place my left foot on his leg, pushing to the side, while simultaneously wrapping my right leg around his neck. I grab the arm holding his disgusting penis, pulling it across his body. Before he realizes what’s happening, my left leg hooks over my right ankle and I’m locked in. I’m so thankful Zarreth didn’t give up on me that day.
Cronus tries pulling himself loose, but I squeeze my legs tighter. Grabbing onto his horns, I pull with all my might, trying to cut off his airflow, but he’s too strong. I can’t hold him.
Roaring, he pulls his head back. I open my eyes to find Robert holding the bone-knife. The blood seeping from Cronus’ neck is the last thing I see before he punches me and everything goes black.
When I come to, Cronus has Robert by the throat. Footsteps are approaching, and soon Dante enters the room followed by his goons.
“Unhand him,” Dante orders.
“Boss, he stabbed me in the neck. I’m only returning the favor,” Cronus explains.
Dante sighs dramatically. “Oh Cronus, if you’re dumb enough to let Robert stab you, then you deserve it.” He points at one of his guards. “You, take Frankie and Robert to the dungeon. I’ll deal with Cronus.”